Engine-starter.



G. J. COLEMAN.

ENGINE STARTER. APPLICATION FILED Mums, 1907. KENEWBDFULY 27, 1912.

Patented Mar. 25,1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.G. J. COLEMAN. ENGINE STARTER. APPLICATION FILED MAR.29', 1 90'7. RBHEWED JULY 27, 1912.

1 056.972. Patented Mar. 25,1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

d. J. COLEMAN. ENGINE STARTER.

nrmoa'non FILED mmg, 1907. RENEWED JULY 27, 1912.

1,656,972. Pat ented Mar. 25, 1913. Q

' s sums-81mm s.

Witnesses:

@ QW M %W 0. J. COLEMAN. ENGINE STARTER. APPLICATION FILED MAR.29, 1 907. RENEWED JULY 27, 1912.

1,056,972. Patented Mar.25,1913

' Y 5 sums-sum 4.

. [nven tor.

C. J. COLEMAN.

ENGINE STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED 111111.29, 1907. RENEWED JULY 27, 1912..

1,056,972. Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5.

lave 72 602".-

WKQWM 5 drawings, forming a part thereof.

' iicularly useful in connection with automobodying my invention illustrated in them:-

.arns ATENToFrIoE.

CLYDE J. COLEMAN, or NEW YORK, N. Y., assmnon 'ro jjcoNRAn I-IUBER'I, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 29, 1907, Seriel'No. 365,396. Renewed July 27, 1912'. Serial No. 711,918.

i To all QU/L-OWL it may concern:

Be it-known that I, CLYDE J. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city of NewYork, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Engine-Starters, of which the following is a specification, refer ence being had therein to the accompanying My invention relates to starting means for engines, such as internal-combustionengines, .WlllCll are not self-starting', and it is parbiles, in which the engines must be started frequently. I

In previous applications, for example, Serial No. 2741,6319. filed August 19, 1905, which became Letters Patent No. 887,067, Mav 12.

20, 1906, which became Letters Patent No.

867,795 October 8, 1907, I have disclosed englue-starters of the same 'general character as that of the present invention, and the object of this invention is to improve the construction and operation of such devices in several particulars which will be hereinafter specified in connection with the description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention. These in'iprovements relate to the centrifugal clutch for efi'ecting the restoring of the energy-storing device with energy,.the ratchet mechanism for connecting the energy-storing device with the engine to start theilatter, and the connections between the springs used as energy-storing devices and the other parts of the mechanism.

I will now describe the construction emco-mpanying drawings, and will thereafter point out my'invcntion in claims.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal central vertical section of the engine starter. Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the same. Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the centrifugal rewinding clutch. Fig; 4 is a rear elevation of the centrifugal pawl carrier, with the pawls and their controlling devices in place. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the pawl carrier, taken from left to right on the plane 5, 5, in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a bottom view front elevation, and Fig. 12 is a vertical cenof the pawl carrier. Fig. 7 isa. reairielevatral section of the sleeve for actuating the releasing member. Fig. 18 is a'front elevation of the modified form of rewinding clutch. Fig, 14L is a rear elevation of the modified form of dog carrier and dogs. Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view of the connectionbetween one of the springs and the easing. Fig. 16 is a detail vertical transverse section showing the connection between the u releasing device and the spring sleeve.

1908, and Serial No. 303,130, filed February storlng device, means for connecting it with The engine starter comprises an energyan engine to start the engine, and means for connecting it with the engine to restore the energy-storing device with energy.

The energy-storing device, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, comprises two spiral sprin s 1 and 2, connected, at one end, to a casing 3 in which the mechanism is inclosed, and at the'other end to intermediate mechanism by which power is transmitted to and from the springs and the power shaft 4 of the starter. The shaft 4 is connected with the shaft 5 of the engine to be started by means of a flexible clutch 6.

The direction of rotation of the engine and the shaft 4 is shown bv an arrow .7 (Fig. 1).

In starting the engine the springs are connected with the shaft a without change of speed ratio.

loosely on a second sleeve 9, which, in turn,

is loosely journaled on the shaft 4. A ratche'twheel 11 is journaled 0n the sleeve 8 and is connected to rotate with-itby spring pawls 12, which engage teeth on the sleeve. The object of this form of mnnection is to prevent the ratchet wheel from unwinding the springs too far, through the momentum of the mechanism, after the springs have unwound to the full extent of their elastic movement in'vstarting the engine.

Patented Mar. 25, 1913.,

The inner ends of the springs are fixed to a sleeve 8 journaled The ratchet wheel 11 is provided with peripheral teeth engagedi-by pawls 13 pivoted holds the brake normally in action, so thatthe brake wheel is held from rotation, but the lever is connected, by a wire 21, with a suitable treadle (not shown) by which the brake may be released by the operator.-

When the brake is so released the brake wheel is rotated by the springs, and this rotation is communicated to the shaft 4, and thence to the engine,'by pawls 22 pivoted on the brake wheel, and a ratchet wheel 23 en: gaged by thepawls and keyed to the shaft.

Themeans for connecting the springs with the engine to rewind them, or re-store them with energy for their next operation, are constructedto come into operation automatically upon the attainment of a predetermined speed by the engine, and to cease their operation when the springs are fully wound up. A pawl carrier 24, constituting one member of a clutch for connecting the shaft 4 with the springs, is keyed to the shaft 4, and carries two dogs 25 (Fig. 3), which are pivoted bytheir rounded extremities 26 in sockets on the pawl carrier, being retained by shoulders 27 engaging their other ends. The pawls are connected, by links 28, with a ring-shaped lever 29 journaled in a groove 31 in the rear face of the pawl carrier. A spring 32 connected with the lever 29 tends to hold the pawls in their inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 4. When a sutlicient speed of rotation is attained by the pawl carrier, however, the pawls swing outwardly, under the influence of centrifugal force, and this movement is limited by pins 33 which traverse holes in ears 34 on the pawls. C

The other member of the clutch consists of a dog carrier 35, which carries dogs 36 adapted to be engaged by'the centrifugal,

pawls, as shown in Fig. When the dogs are so engaged the dog carrier is rotated, and with it the sleeve 9 upon which it is keyed. The other end of the sleeve is pro-.

vided with gear teeth 37, which engage planetary gears 38 journaled on studs 39 on the brake wheel 14. To each gear is .fixed a pinion 10, and these pinions mesh with internal gear teeth formed on 'the ratchet wheel 11. Through this mechanism the springs are rewound by the engine at a much reduced speed ratio which makes little demand on the engine, and the 5 rings are retained in this condition, until t e engine is again to be started, by the pawls 13 and the brake wheel 14.

The means for rewinding the springs are constructed to cease .their operation automatically when'the springs are completely wound u The dogs 36 are slidingly mounted in ra ial slots in the dog carrier, .and are provided with inwardly-extending arms 41, which are grooved and are guided in suitable ways in the dog carrier. The inner ends of the arms 41 are beveled at -12, and are arranged to be engaged by the' oppositely-heveled end of a releasing member 43,

which is in the forin of a sleeve free to slide longitudinally on the sleeve 9. The releasing member is externally screw-threaded and engages a nut 45 fixed to the casing. It is to be noted that the stationary 'nut- 45, with the sleeve member 43, forms a support- .ing bearing for the starter shaft '4 and spring-winding sleeve 9 and their adjuncts at the front of the starter. Pins 44 projecting from the member 43 loosely en-: gage sockets in the sleeve 8, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, so that these parts r0- tate in unison. In consequence of this construction the winding movement of the springs and the sleeve 8 causes the member 43 to move along the sleeve 9 until, afterthe predetermined number of turns, it engages the arms 41, moves the dogs outwardly until they are disengaged from the centrifugal pawls, and thus interrupts the operation of the rewinding mechanism. The first unwinding movement of the springs causes the member 43 to release the dogs, so that they may again engage the pawls as soonas the latter are thrown into operative position by the attainment of a suiiicient speed by the engine. This return movement of the dogs is caused by springs 46 connecting the dogs and the dog carrier. To insure the full engagement of the dogs and pawls a detent spring 48 is mounted on the pawl carrier and engages a friction surface 49 on one of the links 28. A notch 51 engages the end of the spring when the pawls are in inoperative position, and thus a substantial centrifugal force isrequired to start the outward movement of the pawls, so that'when the notch is finally disengaged from the de-.

stances, to start the engine by hand. Access to the shaft for these purposes is had through a door 54 on the end of the casing.

As a convenient way of fastening the springs to the casing, the casing is provided with recessed projections'55, and the ends of inseam 1 the engine is in operation the pawls'are connected; by links 61 (Fig. 2), with a friction ring 62 which is engaged by fixed friction springs 63 on thecasing A ball bearingiia 7 between the a friction ring and the brake wheel supports the friction ring and also prevents it from participating in the move ments of the brake wheel owing to frictional 3n contact therewith. When the brake wheel rotates during the" starting operation the drag of the friction ring causes the pawls 22 to engage the ratchet, but as soonas the engine is started and the movement the brake Wheel ceases the pawls are thrust outward by the ratchetteeth and are held out by the friction device. A spring 65 is attached to one of the pawls to assist this operation, and the outward movement of the pawl's is limited by a stop pin 66'.

In the modified 'fo-rmof rewinding mechanism shown in Figs. 9 to 14 the centrifugal pawls are not interconnected, but are controlled by independent springs 6'? attached to arms 68 on the pawl carrier, and independent detent springs 69 engag ng 1nweirdly-extending cars '51 on the pawl-s. The

.The releasing member is a ring slidably 4 rot-atively connected with th-e'engine, a ro- Z tary dog. carrier-connected withthe energy- 'stori-ng' device, pends on the." pawl carrier constructed to moveinto operative position I dogs are pivoted at 72' to the dog carrier. f

tion,. an energy-storing dcvice,' means for iconnecting said device with an engine to start; the engine, means for connecting the nginewith said device to re-store' the do and they are provided with inwardly-entending'arms 73 which normally are pressed rearw'ardly by springs 74: sons to hold the f dogs'in posit-ion to be engaged by the pawls.

mounted on the sleeve 9 by an inwardly-extending flange 76.- An outwardly-extending flange 77 is notchediat 78 and the notches are engaged by areas 79 projecting from a ring 86 fixed on the casing, and by these means rcvl'ation of the ring 75, is prevented. An externally-threaded sleeve 8-0 is freely mounted on thesleeve 9 and is articulated with the ring Z5 by projections 81 and a ring 82 engaging the flange 16/ A slight amount of longitudinal l'ost motion is provided for between these parts, but this is normally taken up by springs 83 engaging the flange .76. Thisconstruction is such'that theparts "Z5 and act substantially as one piece,

A- nnt 8a in a recess inthe end oi the sleeve 8 is fixed to rotate with the sleeve by lugs 85 on the nut engaging notches in the sleeve. 'This rotation, WhichjoccuES when the spring is winding or unwinding, causes, the non-rotative releasing member to move longitudlnally so asto engage or disengage pleted.

the arms 73 on. the dogs and thereby to in-- terrnpt or toperm'it the winding operation.

li hen the rewinding mechanism is not. in operation there 18 no relat ve movement between the releasing member and the; parts actuated thereby, owing to the location of such parts on the normally fixed member of the clutch, and thus Wear on thesepartsis avoided-Q The interconnection of the two centrifiugal pawls in the first-described construction insures thesnnultaneons and equal engagement of the pawls with the dogs and avoids the duplication of the controlling de vices for the pawls.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made inthe construction shown and above particularly described within the principle and scope of my invention. A

Iclaim: 3 1. Anengine starterhaving, in combination, an energy-storing device, means for connecting saiddevicewith an engine to start the engine, means forconnecting the engine with said device to re-stor'e the dcvice with energy comprising-a. pawl carrier rotatively connected Wllilltll) engine, a rotary dog'carrier oonnectedwithvthe energy- Y storing device, pawls on -t-he" pawl carrier =constructed to move outwardly under the? infiuence of centrifugal force, dogs-on the dog carrier arranged to beeng'aged by the gpawl's when the latter move outwardlypfand 1 I means connected with the energy-storing de- 5 vice and operating automatically to discontinue the energy-storing operation, when lift completed', by movi'n the dogs outwardly I E-irona engagement wit the pawls 2. An e'ng-ine starter having, in combi'navice with energy comprising a pawl carrier under theinfluence of centrifugal force,"

dogs on thedogcarrier arranged to beengaged by'the p'awls and provided within- Y weirdly-extending releasing arms, a 'r'e'leas'-' ing device moving longitudinally oi" the axis of rotation of the pawl carrier, and conned tionshetween the energy-storing'dcvice and the releasing device operating automatically to movethe latter intoengagemen-t with said energy-storing operation when itis-com- 1 engine starter having, in combina connecting said :device with an engine to startthe engine, and means for connecting the engine with said device to re-store'the' releasing arms to release the dogs from on j gagement with the pawls and interrupt the" device with energy comprising a pawl carrier rotatively connected with the engine, a

cooperating member rotatively connected ith the energy-storing device and constructed to be engaged and driven by said pawls, connections between the pawls to cause them to move in unison into and out of operative position, and a spring connected with the pawls to control their movements.

4. An engine starter having, in combination, a spring a casing supporting one end of thespring and provided with a recessed projection, means for connecting the spring with an engine to start the engine, and a connection between the casing and the spring comprising a pin'passing through said projection and engaging the end of the spring,

' the pin being accessible from the outside of the casing to permit its convenient removal or insertion.

5. An engine starter having, in combina= tion, an energy-storing device, a pawl carrier rotatively connected therewith, pawls mounted on the pawl carrier, a ratchet in position to be engaged by said pawls and adapted to be connected with the engine to be started, a friction member fixed with relation to the pawl carrier, a rotary friction member in frictional engagement with the so fixed friction member, connections between the pawls and the rotary friction member to throw the pawls into operation,and an anti friction bearing between the pawl carrier and a rotary friction member.

6. An engine starter having, in combination, an energy-storing ,device,.a pawl carrier rotatively connected therewith, pawls mounted on the pawl carrier, a ratchet in osition to be en a ed bv. said awls and adapted to be connected with the engine to be started, frictional means for throwing the pawls into operation, and a spring tending .to throw the pawls out of operation.

7. An engine starter having, in combination, an energy-storing device, means for connecting said device with an engine to start the engine, means for connecting the engine. with said device to restore the device with energy comprising a pawl carrier rotatively connected with the engine, a rotary dogcarrier connected with the energystoring device, and provided with outwardly-directed slots, pawls on the pawl carrier constructed .to move into operative po- 55 sition under the influence of centrifugal ..force, dogs on the dog carrier mounted in the slots in position normally to be engaged by the pawls and provided with inclined surfaces, and a releasing device connected with the energy-storing device and provided with an inclined surface to engage the inclined surfaces on the dogs and move the dogs outwardly from engagement with the pawls when the energy-storing operation is 66 completed.

' '8. An engine starter having, in combination, an energy-storing device, means for connecting said device with an engine to start the engine, means for connecting the engine with said device to re-store the device with energy comprising a pawl carrier rotat-ively connected with the engine, a rotary dog carrier connected with the energy-storing to engage the dogs and move them outwardly from engagement with the pawls when the energy-storing operation is completed.

9. An engine starter having, in combination, an energy-storing device, means for connecting said device with an engine to start the engine, means for connecting the engine with said device to re-store the device with energy comprising a part rotatively connected with the engine, a rdi tiry dog carrier connected with the energy-storing de vice, dogs on the dog carrier arranged to be engaged by the engine-connected part to restore the device with ener a rotary longitudinally movable threa ed sleeve in control of the dogs, and a stationary nut for actuating such sleeve and, with such sleeve, forming a bearing for the engine-connected part and its adjuncts.

10. An engine starter having, in combination, an energy-storing device. means for connecting said device .,with an engine to start the engine, means foi connecting the engine with said device to re-store the device with energy comprising a part rot-ativelyco-nnected with the engine, a rotary dog-carrier connected with the energy-storing device. dogs on the dog carrier arranged normally in position to be engaged by the engine-connected part, a threaded sleeve rotatively connected with the energy-storing device and mounted to move longitudinally, and a stationary nut forming, with the storing device and for the engine-connected part and cooperative with the screwthreaded sleeve to move such sleeve longitudinally in one direction to disengage the dogs from the engine-connected part upon the completion of the energy-storing operation and to move such sleeve in the other direction to-permit the return of the dogs to threaded sleeve, a bearing for the energy- In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CLYDE J. COLEMAN.

rie'r rotatively connected therewith, a pawl mounted on .the pawl carrier,- a ratchet in position to be engaged by said pawl 'and adapted to be connected With the engine to be started, frictional means for throwing the pawl into operation, and a spring tending to throw the pawl out of operation.

Witnesses:

BERNARD COWEN, WVM. ASHLEY KELLY.

Copies ofthls patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

